Exiting the swim - in first place! The woman behind me won the event. Shame I couldn't keep up with her ..... only for first 50k of the bike then she was gone!

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

They could straighten our the roads here, whilst they're at it - 1st of the 3 big cols, The Tremola. All cobblestone joy! Took a long time to get up this baby & I had some dark moments as I was visiting a nasty little place in my body... Approx 2050m altitude at the top.

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

In Chch they are working hard to get rid of bumpy roads - I think some of the engineers need to come over here

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

Starting the 2nd climb - supported aptly by the natives & needed it as the Furka Pass tops out at 2400m!

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

I took this photo a few days before the event - this shows the descent after the Furkapass and in the foreground you can see the next climb that takes us up to Grimsel Pass. This was the smallest of the 3 climbs - topped out around 2100m

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

Number 1 climb done - Ange is passing a bit of food to me before I go into the first of the awesomely fast descents

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

And they said I 'run' at this stage .... I don't think so!

Shoulda left my bike shoes on - ouch!

Feeling good, but it wasn't supposed to be this hot ..

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

And just for fun ..

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

Awesome views - here with our South African friend Fiona who was aiming to climb the Eiger the next day (but the conditions ruled that out)

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

Swiss meadows and The Eiger!! Bliss

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

And cows, of course

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

Team effort - we can all feel very happy! What an awesome event photo.

Swissman Extreme Triathlon

The 'extreme' in the race title comes from the EXTREME pain emanating out of every cell in my legs - although Ange and I look very happy! We were on the way down the tram.

Tony Buckingham

What a great role model for the young of Wellington - Tony has been the number one target of local athletes for many years. He exemplifies qualities held by our finest triathletes